MINOR OPERATIONS
67 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 8 to Nordheim and 2 which bombed both Berlin and Magdeburg on a 'siren tour', 38 R.C.M. sorties, 33 Mosquito patrols. No aircraft lost.
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The Bomber Command operations on this day were directed to towns on the main reinforcement routes into the Rhine battle area. Heavy attacks were made on the railway routes through these towns and on the surrounding built-up areas.
HANNOVER
267 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitoes of 1, 6 and 8 Groups. The bombing was observed to fall in the target area. 1 Lancaster lost.
MNSTER
175 aircraft - 151 Halifaxes, 14 Lancasters, 10 Mosquitoes - of 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes lost.
Few results were seen by the bombers because the target area rapidly became smoke-covered. Mnster reports a large number of bombs but only 2 people dead.
OSNABRCK
156 aircraft - 132 Halifaxes, 14 Lancasters, 10 Mosquitoes - of 4 and 8 Groups. No aircraft lost.
Osnabrck reports extensive property damage throughout the town. 175 people were killed - 143 civilians, 22 soldiers and 10 foreign workers - and 244 people were injured.
Total effort for the day: 606 sorties, 4 aircraft (0.7 percent) lost.
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Minor Operations
8 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 1 Lancaster dropping leaflets over The Hague. No losses.
